Fluid filled mattress

ABSTRACT

A fluid filled mattress surrounded by a protective sheet with a fireproof sheet on the top held in place by a cover sheet, provided with means to form a flexible framework adjustable to suitable pressures of the fluid in the mattress; also provided with flap means inside of the mattress dividing it into compartments, the flap means being either perforated or freely swingable so as to resist excessive motion of the body or fluid within the mattress when displaced by weight thereon; also securing means to hold the lining and cover in position in a box in which the fluid mattress is confined.

United States Patent [19] Carson, Jr.

[54] FLUID FILLED MATTRESS [75] Inventor: Robert N. Carson, Jr., San Rafael,

Calif.

[73] Assigneez' Carson Manufacturing Co., San

Rafael, Calif.

22 Filed: Mar. 1, 1971 [21] Appl.No.: 119,706

[52] US. Cl ..5/348 WB, 5/335 51 Int. Cl ..A47c 27/08 [58] Field of Search, 25/343450, 336, 335, 348 WB; 220/22, 83,88, 89,93; 150/1; 269/327 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,585,356 6/1971 Hall ..5/348 3,294,273

12/1966 Madden et al ..220/93 [111 3,736,604 1 June 5, 1973 5/1960 7/1969 Wein stein ..5/348 Primary Examiner-Francis K. Zuigel Assistant ExaminerAndrew M. Calvert Attorney-George B. White [57] ABSTRACT A fluid filled mattress surrounded by a protective sheet with a fireproof sheet on the top held in place by a cover sheet, provided with means to form a flexible framework adjustable to suitable pressures of the fluid in the mattress; also provided with flap means inside of the mattress dividing it into compartments, the flap means being either perforated or freely swingable so as to resist excessive motion of the body or fluid within the mattress when displaced by weight thereon; also securing means to hold the lining and cover in position in a box in which the fluid mattress is confined.

11 Claims, 23 Drawing Figures Flajole .,.s 2L49 x PATENTEDJUH 5 I973 3.736.604

sum 1 [1F 6 INVENTOE wager u. CARSONJR.

ATTORNEY PATENTEDJUH 51975 SHEET 3 OF 8 f UVM INVENTOR ROBERT N- CARSON JR ATTORNEY PATENTEDJUH 5l973 3.7361604 SHEET LL 0F 8 INVENTOR. ROBERT N. CARSON JR ATTORNEY PAIENIEUJUH 51975 SHEET 5 OF 8 INVENTOI? ROBERT N. CARSON JR ATTORNEY PATENTEDJUH 6 ms SHEET 8 OF 8 M/VENTOR ROBERT M. CARSONJE.

BY v

ATTOENEY ,PATENTEDJUH 5197s SHKET 7 I]? 8 INVENTOR ROBERTA! CARSON JR. BY

A T TOENEY PATENTEDJUH 5l975 3,736,604

SHEET 8 BF 8 INVENTOR ROBERT N. CARSON JE.

ATTORN E Y FLUID FILLED MATTRESS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION fore flooding the environments, the resultant short circuits in the electric heating system, the excessive swaying as the water in the bed moves in waves when pressed by the weight of a person thereon, the possibility of burning a hole in the plastic bag on the top, the lack of adjustability of the mattress to variable desired resiliency or stiffness.

The primary object of this invention is to provide a fluid filled mattress and a method of forming it into a bed or similar support so as to eliminate the above mentioned and other disadvantages, and create a fluid mattress which is safe, yet which is adjusted to the desired resiliency or stiffness and which can be easily and quickly assembled into a bed, sofa, settee, or the like furniture.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective developed view of a fluid mattress adjusted to suitable stiffness, the fireproof cover sheet and the lining or cover to hold them together.

FIG. 2 is a fragmental sectional view of the above mentioned parts assembled together.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the assembled bed.

FIG. 4 is a fragmental detail of the straps for adjusting the stiffness of the mattress.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of another form of mattress with stiffeners on the sides.

FIG. 6 is a fragmental detail of the stiffener for the sides of the mattress.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the mattress in the frame with a cover sheet.

FIGS. 8 and 9 are details of illustration of stiffening the sides of the mattress along the side seams.

FIG. 10 is another form of stiffening the seams along the sides of the mattress.

FIG. 1 1 is 'a perspective view partly in section showing the flaps or baffles inside of the mattress to dampen the movement of the water in the mattress.

FIG. 12 is a fragmental cross-sectional view of said mattress with the dampening flaps assembled in a rigid frame and showing the cover sheet for the same.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view, partly in section, illustrating the mounting of the liner and cover sheet rela- .tively to the mattress in a rigid bed frame.

FIG. 14 is a fragmental sectional view showing the securing of the liner and the cover sheets to the rigid bed frame.

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the bed shown in FIG. 13.

FIG. 16 is a fragmental view of a corner showing the removable inside corner for access to the means for filling the bag with fluid.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a fluid mattress supported on an air mattress.

FIG. 18 is a fragmental sectional view of said fluid mattress on top of an air mattress assembled in a bed frame.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of an air mattress for the above purpose made in the form of a continuous tube.

FIG. 20 is a partly sectional perspective view of a fluid mattress supported on a spring mattress.

FIG. 21 is a fragmental cross-sectional view of the fluid mattress on the spring mattress assembled in abed frame and showing the lining and cover sheets.

FIG. 22 is a view showing the combining of two fluid mattresses into a single bed.

FIG. 23 is a perspective view showing the use of super-imposed fluid mattresses for a settee or the like.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4 inclusive, a flexible heavy bag 1 is adapted to be filled with a liquid such as water in the usual manner, the sides of which are surrounded by a flexible tube such as a canvas belt 2, which in this illustration is tubular and forms a pair of sleeves 3 to accommodate suitable strapping such as metal strapping 4. By pulling the metal strappings together at their free ends 6 and securing them by the usual crimping of a collar 7 thereover, the stiffness or resiliency of the mattress is predetermined.

The cover 8, preferably also made of flexible plastic, is so made that it fits over the mattress placed therein, so that the top edge portions 9, when folded over the mattress l, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, can be suitably drawn together and form a tight cover. A fireproof sheet such as a fiberglass sheet 11 placed on the top of the mattress l and tucked under the top edge portions 9 is held firmly in place by the tightly drawn top edge portions 9. The bed is filled and also can be heated by means hereinafter described.

- Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, another type of stiffener for the fluid bed 12 is shown in the form of rigid .strips,

such as boards 13, held in place by bands or metal strapping 14. The boards 13 are of such length that when the strapping 1-4 is drawn together to its limit, the boards do not abut but leave a corner space free for a rounded shape. As shown in FIG. 6, the strapping 14 is provided at its end with markings 16 spaced on a scale to indicate the degree of stiffness to which the mattress is adjusted.

Referring to FIG. 7, the aforesaid mattress is shown in a bed frame with a lining sheet 10 and cover sheet 15 secured over it. In this form a heating element 17 is placed in a pocket 18 in the bottom of the bed frame.

Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, there is shown a reinforcement for the seam of the bed along its sides. Each seam 19 of the fluid bed 12 has an outwardly projecting turned flap 21, the outer edges of which are again united into an outer seam 22 and into the pocket 23 so formed is placed a stiffener such as a board 24. Then this is turned upon itself as shown in FIG. 9 to form a reinforced seam, and the reinforced seam is held by a suitable rigid sleeve 26 open at one side thereof so that it can be slid on the turned seam longitudinally along each side of the mattress.

As shown in FIG. 10, the reinforcing is accomplished by placing a rod 27 inside of the mattress along the seam, then manipulating the rod 27 in such a manner that is it alongside the seam and bulges outwardly so as to permit the sliding over the seam and the rod 27 of a rigid tube 28 which is open on one side. In this manner the strain on the seam is distributed over the adjacent portions of the plastic bag.

Viewing FIGS. 11 and 12, baffles or flaps 31 are provided lengthwise and also across the mattress in such a manner as to divide the interior of the mattress into compartments. These flaps 31 are flexible and collapsible with a bag 32. The flaps are preferably secured at the top edges 33 to the top of the bag 32 on the inside so as to be freely swingable about the top edges as a pivot. The resistance to the movement of the water in the water bag can be predetermined by increasing the thickness of the free lower edges 34 of the flaps, and if necessary by the insertion of some weights 36 in said lower edges. Restricted communication between the compartments can be also regulated by the size and number of holes 37'in the respective collapsible flaps 31. This arrangement inhibits extensive back and forth swaying of masses of water in the bag when a person sits or lies on the mattress. As shown in FIG. 12, the mattress can be assembled in a box or bed and be provided with a protective lining and protective cover 15. The cross-flaps 31 are staggered and at their intersecting edge 38 are tapered downwardly away from the adjacent longitudinal flap to permit more freedom of movement.

FIGS. 13 to 16 inclusive illustrate in more detail the construction and assembly of the fluid mattress of any of the types in the box 5. The box 5 has a shoulder 39 formed along each side thereof on the inside. The lining sheet 10 has its edges along each side placed over said shoulder and the adjacent vertical wall 41. The cover sheet also has its edges placed over the corresponding portions of the lining 10 on the shoulder 39 and on the vertical wall 41, and a retaining block 42 is then placed on the sheet edges on the shoulder 39 and against the vertical wall 41 as shown in still further detail in FIG. 14. In the vertical wall 41 is a threaded tube 43 and the retaining block 42 has a hole 44 therethrough in registry with the tube 43 so that a screw 46 is inserted through the hole 44 and is screwed into the tube 43. The screw head 47 is a flat head recessed into the block 42 as shown. In this manner the stress is taken off the edges of the sheets. The space between the sides of the box 5 and the mattress is exaggerated in this view to illustrate that the bag can be pushed over toward the opposite sides of the box to provide a space 48 for tucking under the bedding, for instance in the manner shown in FIG. 21.

The flexible tube 49 is normally concealed in the dotted lines position. It can be pulled out into the full line position shown in FIG. 15 by removing a corner block 51 shown in FIG. 16. The retainer blocks 42 are cut away at said corner so as to accommodate the insertion and fastening in place of the corner block 51 in the manner shown in FIG. 14. In order to fill or collapse the fluid bed, the corner block 51 is removed without disturbing the rest of the assembly and the person can reach down between the cover sheet 15 and the lining 10 at that corner and pull the tube 49 out to make it accessible for that operation. In FIG. 15 there is also illustrated a fiberglass lining 52 along the bottom of the heating element 17 which is used in all the heating elements herein so as to prevent the burning of the cover sheet or the lining at the bottom of the box as the case may be. In practice the fluid bed itself is protected by controlling the temperature through the usual rheostat circuit control 53 and a suitable fuse 54. If necessary the rheostat may be in the form of a thermostat for temperature control.

Viewing FIGS. 17, 18 and 19, the fluid mattress 56 is placed on a pneumatic or air mattress 57. This arrangement will give the proper height for the combined mattresses, and at the same time will reduce the volume of liquid orwater in the fluid mattress and predetermines a combined desired resiliency. In this case, as shown, the fluid mattress is filled through a check valve 58 which is common to all the embodiments, and the air mattress is inflated through a suitable check valve 59. This combined mattress can be again assembled in a box 5 and a lining 10 and a cover sheet 15 protect the mattresses. The heating element 17 is placed at this time between the fluid mattress 56 and air mattress 57 as shown in FIG. 18.

As shown in FIG. 19, the air mattress 57' can be also made in a continuous tube turned back and forth to cover the mattress area.

Another modification shown in FIGS. 20 and 21 shows the mattress 56 resting on a spring mattress 61. In FIG. 21 there is also shown the arrangement of the bedding 62 on top of the fluid mattress 56.

In FIG. 22 there is shown the arrangement of a pair of liquid mattresses 63 combined together side by side. For instance, if each of the pair of beds is made of the usual size of a single bed, such as 21 by 72 inches, then the two mattresses can be drawn together and will complement each other into a double bed size. In this instance the belt 2 and the mattress strapping 4 surround the outside periphery of the complementary pair of mattresses and are tightened in the same manner as described in connection with FIG. 1 or FIG. 5 so as to shape the two mattresses into a single mattress. Thereafter the fireproof foam or fiberglass sheet is placed on the top and the cover 8 is tightened around the combined mattresses in the manner heretofore described.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 23 a combination of superimposed mattresses 66 is illustrated. For outdoor use the pad 67 on the top can be covered with a sun resistant material. Thus a combination of mattresses may be used to produce a bed or settee of suitable height, and by placing such super-imposed mattresses in sets side by side, then full bed width could also be accomplished. Another advantage of using superimposed mattresses to produce the desired height is that heating element may be placed under the top mattress and between the super-imposed mattresses, andthereby reduce the volume of water or liquid to be heated whenever heat is desired.

The method of making and assembling the herein mattresses includes the following steps:

A flexible waterproof plastic bag is formed out of a sheet of material, the seams of which may be reinforced in the manner shown in FIGS. 9 and 10.

In forming the bed out of a sheet of material, the pivot edges 33 of the flaps 31 are welded to the part of the sheet which is to form the top of the mattress, so that the longitudinal flaps 31' extend nearly the full length of the mattress. It is preferable that each end of these longitudinal flaps 31 be spaced somewhat from the adjacent end of the mattress when assembled. Then the sheet is formed into a bag so as to enclose the flaps 31. The filling tube 49 is suitably secured to one side of the bag.

The forming belts 2 or the boards 13 and strapping 14 are placed around the mattress and the mattress is placed into the cover 8, shown in FIG. 1, or into the box 5 shown in FIG. 7, as the case may be, and is partly filled with liquid to such an extent only that it is still sufficiently pliable to permit the tightening of the strappings 6 or 14 respectively. At this stage the strappings are pulled together to the required tightness and the collars 7 are clipped thereon to hold them at the adjusted tightness.

Thereafter the mattress is completely filled with water or liquid. After the mattress is so shaped and filled thepad 11 is placed thereon and the cover is secured in position, either by drawing the top edges of the cover from the attitude shown in FIG. 1 into the overlapping attitude shown in FIG. 3 or by securing the cover sheet 15 in position as shown in FIGS. 7, 12 or 18.

Where heating of the liquid in the mattress is required, the heating element 17 is placed in suitable position beneath the mattress and is regulated in the usual manner.

In the form shown in FIG. 22, two individual mattresses are partially filled and placed with the belt 2 surrounding both mattresses into the liner or cover 8 side by side and after the pad 11 is placed on the top to cover both mattresses, the top edge of the cover 8 is drawn together as heretofore described forming a single mattress.

In the form shown in FIG. 23 narrower mattresses are placed one on top of the other, each being handled the same way as heretofore described and are placed either in a box or a flexible liner as heretofore described with a pad on the top to combine them into a single unit.

I claim: 1. In a fluid filled mattress, a bag made of pliant material,

means through which said bag is filled with fluid,

means to maintain the filled bag in the shape of a mattress and to inhibit lateral expansion thereof,

waterproof protective covering around the bottom and sides of said fluid filled bag to prevent accidental escape of fluid,

a plurality of baffle flaps extended from the top of said bag inside toward the bottom of said bag and being swingable and being capable to retard said movement of said fluid.

2. A mattress as specified in claim 1, and

weight means on each of said flaps to predetermine the degree of resistance to fluid movement in said mattress.

3. In a fluid filled mattress,

a bag made of pliant material,

means through which said bag is filled with fluid,

means to maintain the filled bag in the shape of a mattress and to inhibit lateral expansion thereof,

waterproof protective covering around the bottom and sides of said fluid filled bag to prevent accidental escape of fluid,

said waterproof covering having a bottom, sides,

flexible strips along tops of the sides being adapted to be turned over the top of said bag, and

fastening means to hold said strips in position on the top of said bag.

4. A mattress as specified in claim 3, and

a protective pad on the top of said bag extended under and being held by said flexible strips.

5. A mattress as specified in claim 3, and

said shape maintaining means including a band extending around the sides of said bag and secured together to a predetermined size for predetermining the stiffness of said mattress. 6. In a fluid filled mattress, a bag made of pliant material, means through which said bag is filled with fluid, means to maintain the filled bag in the shape of a mattress and to inhibit lateral expansion thereof, waterproof protective covering; around the bottom and sides of said fluid filled bag to prevent accidental escape of fluid, said shape maintaining means including a band extending around the sides of said bag and secured together to a predetermined size for predetermining the stiffness of said mattress. 7. In a fluid filled mattress, a bag made of pliant material, means through which said bag is filled with fluid, means to maintain the filled bag in the shape of a mattress and to inhibit lateral expansion thereof, waterproof protective covering around the bottom and sides of said fluid filled bag to prevent accidental escape of fluid, said shape maintaining means including, a stiffener element along each side of said bag and a tightening element surrounding said bag and said stiffening elements, and means to hold said tightening elements secured at a predetermined tightness thereby to predetermine the stiffness of said mattress. 8. In a fluid filled mattress, a bag made of pliant material, means through which said bag is filled with fluid, means to maintain the filled bag in the shape of a mattress and to inhibit lateral expansion thereof, waterproof protective covering around the bottom and sides of said fluid filled bag to prevent accidental escape of fluid, said shape maintaining meansincluding a rigid frame surrounding said bag, said waterproof protective covering including a lining extended over all the sides and the bottom of said frame, a cover extended over the top of said bag secured to the frame, and said frame and said lining and cover being of sufficient looseness to permit the tucking of bedding around said mattress. 9. A mattress as specified in claim 8, and means for securing said cover and said lining to the sides of said frame including rigid fastening elements overlying the edge portions of said cover and lining along the top edge portion of the sides of said frame, and means to secure said fastening elements to the respective sides of said frame. 10. A mattress as specified in claim 9, and a portion of said fastening elements being removable to permit access to the space between the cover and lining for filling or emptying said bag. 11. A mattress as specified in claim 10, heating means between said lining and said bag, and heat insulating means between said heating means and said lining.

* I! k l 1* 

1. In a fluid filled mattress, a bag made of pliant material, means through which said bag is filled with fluid, means to maintain the filled bag in the shape of a mattress and to inhibit lateral expansion thereof, waterproof protective covering around the bottom and sides of said fluid filled bag to prevent accidental escape of fluid, a plurality of baffle flaps extended from the top of said bag inside toward the bottom of said bag and being swingable and being capable to retard said movement of said fluid.
 2. A mattress as specified in claim 1, and weight means on each of said flaps to predetermine the degree of resistance to fluid movement in said mattress.
 3. In a fluid filled mattress, a bag made of pliant material, means through which said bag is filled with fluid, means to maintain the filled bag in the shape of a mattress and to inhibit lateral expansion thereof, waterproof protective covering around the bottom and sides of said fluid filled bag to prevent accidental escape of fluid, said waterproof covering having a bottom, sides, flexible strips along tops of the sides being adapted to be turned over the top of said bag, and fastening means to hold said strips in position on the top of said bag.
 4. A mattress as specified in claim 3, and a protective pad on the top of said bag extended under and being held by said flexible strips.
 5. A mattress as specified in claim 3, and said shape maintaining means including a band extending around the sides of said bag and secured together to a predetermined size for predetermining the stiffness of said mattress.
 6. In a fluid filled mattress, a bag made of pliant material, means through which said bag is filled with fluid, means to maintain the filled bag in the shape of a mattress and to inhibit lateral expansion thereof, waterproof protective covering around the bottom and sides of said fluid filled bag to prevent accidental escape of fluid, said shape maintaining means including a band extending around the sides of said bag and secured together to a predetermined size for predetermining the stiffness of said mattress.
 7. In a fluid filled mattress, a bag made of pliant material, means through which said bag is filled with fluid, means to maintain the filled bag in the shape of a mattress and to inhibit lateral expansion thereof, waterproof protective covering around the bottom and sides of said fluid filled bag to prevent accidental escape of fluid, said shape maintaining means including, a stiffener element along each side of said bag and a tightening element surrounding said bag and said stiffening elements, and means to hold said tightening elements secured at a predetermined tightness thereby to predetermine the stiffness of said mattress.
 8. In a fluid filled mattress, a bag made of pliant material, means through which said bag is filled with fluid, means to maintain the filled bag in the shape of a mattress and to inhibit lateral expansion thereof, waterproof protective covering around the bottom and sides of said fluid filled bag to prevent accidental escape of fluid, said shape maintaining means including a rigid frame surrounding said bag, said waterproof protective covering including a lining extended over all the sides and the bottom of said frame, a cover extended over the top of said bag secured to the frame, and said frame and said lining and cover being of sufficient looseness to permit the tucking of bedding around said mattress.
 9. A mattress as specified in claim 8, and means for securing said cover and said lining to the sides of said frame including rigid fastening elements overlying the edge portions of said cover and lining along the top edge portion of the sides of said frame, and means to secure said fastening elements to the respective sides of said frame.
 10. A mattress as specified in claim 9, and a portion of said fasteniNg elements being removable to permit access to the space between the cover and lining for filling or emptying said bag.
 11. A mattress as specified in claim 10, heating means between said lining and said bag, and heat insulating means between said heating means and said lining. 